Brittany Passalacqua

Republicans in both houses of the legislature are urging the Assembly leadership to pass Brittany’s Law, to create a registry of violent felony offenders, similar to the sex offender registry created under Megan’s Law. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch supports the bill:

(Crouch 5-21-14)

Brittany’s Law has advanced in the Senate in each of the last 4 years, it is named after 12 year old Brittany Passalacqua who was murdered in 2009 in Geneva, by John Edward Brown, who was on parole after serving time for violently assaulting his infant daughter, Brittany’s family was unaware of his violent history.

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All area school Budget votes and assorted propositions passed around the tri-County region yesterday. The state education department noted that 97% of district proposed budgets at or below the state’s property tax cap, and close to that percentage passed. Unadilla Valley Voters elected Victoria Gregory, Richard Potter and Kimberly Murray to school board, Oneonta District voters elected Amy Burnsworth and Daniel Buttermann to the school Board to 3-year terms.

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Long time general Clinton canoe regatta participant Dave Price is being elected to the Regatta Hall of Fame on Saturday, for his contributions to the Clinton since the late 60’s. Price was asked if there was a moment along the way containing special memories:

(Dave Price 5-21-14)

Price has been a Regatta committee member and 2 time chairman, he helped initiate the famous “700-Mile Club” & he will be the Race starter in Cooperstown for the 37th time on Memorial Day.

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State lawmakers & advocates for the disabled are pushing legislation to change the “Handicapped” sign picture and also remove the word “Handicapped” from those signs. Advocates claim the word is outdated & offensive; the new sign would portray a person in a wheelchair in motion. Bills have been introduced in the Assembly & the Senate, however its unclear if the proposal will be voted on before the end of the session in mid-June.

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Former Governor David Paterson will take over as chairman of the state Democratic Party, as party leaders from across New York kick off their convention today on Long Island. Paterson became governor in 2008 when Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned following a prostitution scandal. Democrats will begin nominating their statewide ticket today; a new poll shows their candidates with commanding leads.

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The state health department is releasing a “Youth Sexual Health Plan” to address HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention. The health department said the plan is a guide to ensure that age-appropriate, medically accurate and unbiased sexual education programs are available to all youth. Goals include reducing teen pregnancy; providing HIV and STD screening through school-based centers; increasing access to contraception services; and promoting healthy and safe relationships and decision-making. The plan can be viewed at health.ny.gov

State Police announced the results of a preliminary investigation into a plane crash in the Town of Roxbury last Friday afternoon. The investigation determined that 45-year-old James Leavelle of Mentor Ohio was piloting the 1943 single propeller aircraft; he attempted to land on a private grass airfield due to approaching foul weather, Leavelle felt that his forward momentum was too great to stop within the length of the field, he attempted to become airborne again for a 2nd attempt, he clipped trees & a power line and crashed. Leavelle suffered a minor hairline fracture in one spinal disc in the neck; the plane was dismantled and removed for the investigation by the FAA & The NTSB.

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Sidney village officials have given the go ahead for the construction of a skateboard park in Sidney. Ronnie Haag of the Sidney Area Youth Advocate program, explains:

(Ronnie Haag 5-13-14)

Haag said that the project was first discussed in 2008; they hope to have the park open for this summer.

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A bill that would create a statewide registry of violent felony offenders has passed the Senate. “Brittany’s Law” would require violent convicted felons to register with the state’s Department of Criminal Justice Service, after being released from prison, it would be set up similar to the current sex offender registry. The bill is named after 12-year-old Brittany Passalacqua who was killed in 2009 by John Brown, who was on parole at the time after serving 2½ years for assaulting his infant daughter. The bill was sent to the Assembly for consideration.

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The state political conventions start tomorrow in Westchester County and then continue the following week on Long Island. Republicans Delegates will nominate Westchester County executive Rob Astorino for Governor and John Cahill for Attorney General. A week later, Democrats will gather in Suffolk County next week to re-nominate Governor Cuomo & Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

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Businesses owned by disabled veterans will get a share of state contracts under a bill signed Monday by Governor Cuomo. The Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act requires the state to create rules and regulations to oversee a new program, that will set aside 6% of contracts to a business owned by 1 or more veterans with a disability while serving in any branch of the Military. The law was passed by the state Legislature in March.

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Broome County Executive Debbie Preston underwent surgery yesterday at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to remove the upper left lobe of her lung. Preston recently announced she had been diagnosed with lung cancer; the surgery was successful, with no significant complications. Preston is recovering in the hospital’s intensive care unit. She is expected to be back in Broome County by the end of the week, she vowed that she will not step down as County Executive and will return to work shortly.

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State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced the creation of an investigations division in his office. The announcement comes amid a number of investigations by several attorneys, following the expiration of Governor Cuomo’s Moreland Commission. Cuomo said that the Moreland Commission was formed after the legislature refused to act on ethics reforms last year, they agreed to a reform package in March, and the commission was deactivated. DiNapoli now has an agreement with State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that allows the attorney general’s office to conduct criminal investigations into alleged wrongdoing by state officials.